The Naval Base means so much to so many – not least the cherished venues that stand around the dockyard walls and have proudly served the men and women who defend our shores for generations.

Now they are worried more than ever about the threats facing the naval base – and say it is high time the Government listens to those who really depend on the armed forces the most.

Jackie Jones, who has been working at Ivor Dewdney pasty shop in Saltash Road, Keyham, for 40 years, says the naval base is the chief reason why the beloved pasty business is able to keep ticking over.

She said: "The naval base is the only thing around here.

"There's nothing else here at all. It's dead without it.

Jackie Jones (left) has been proudly serving naval base customers at Ivor Dewdney for 40 years

"This city is nothing without the naval base. People are definitely worried about its future.

"They don't know what's going to happen. Without that, they have no jobs, especially the younger ones.

"We wouldn't exist without the naval base."

Susan Fraser, 70, landlady of The Avondale pub, on Saltash Road, said: "The naval base is so important to Plymouth.

"Between the armed forces and the students, they're the main sources of income coming into the city.

"If we took this away from Plymouth, we wouldn't have anything. You might as well shut Plymouth down.

"If we were to have another war, we need our ships."

Joanne Young, 47, with her mum Susan Fraser, 70, landlady of The Avondale Sam Clarke, 31, licensee of The Royal Naval Arms in Saltash Road, just a stone's throw away from the base, said the armed forces are the lifeblood of the pub.

She said: "At least 90 per cent of our custom is from the naval base. Everyone here has a connection to the naval base.

"A lot of places rely on the custom from the ships. (If the naval base closed) this place would shut.

"We would have to do something else, and that would be disastrous. We 100 per cent need the naval dockyard.